Instructions for the Introduction
Section
Introduction (2-3 pages)
 First address the problem! State the overall area of concern (populations-at-risk for
injustice or discrimination; need for more functional affiliations for individuals and
groups; unethical policies/practices; lack of knowledge in the field, etc.). Provide brief
statistics to indicate the incidence of the problem.
 Next, answer the question, “How does this problem effect criminal justice practice
and/or policy? (Ethical research requires us to focus our efforts where need is the
greatest).
 Then answer- How can the information from my study be helpful to the field. The
potential answers to this question are: 1) an addition to current knowledge of a problem
or a vulnerable population; 2) to put criminal justice theory to an empirical test; 3) to
better understand the relationship between variables (like homelessness and housing
shortage); or 4) to determine the effectiveness of a treatment method or program.
(Pick one and briefly elaborate)
 Discuss how this problem area affects individuals, communities, and society as a whole
(what are issues of social and economic justice).
Variables
Conceptually define your major variables in a clear and concise manner, e.g. “child abuse” or
“domestic violence”.
Summary
Summarize the introduction in a few sentences. (Add any additional points or sub-points that
relate to your study)